ILOILO – This province recorded a significant increase in hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) cases in 2023, with a total of 3,497 reported from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. This is dramatic 540 percent rise compared to the 546 cases in 2022.
HFMD is a mild but contagious viral infection that primarily affects young children, characterized by sores in the mouth and rashes on the hands and feet.
The municipalities with the highest number of cases were Santa Barbara (364), Lambunao (199), Alimodian (198), Calinog (181), Badiangan (166), Barotac Viejo (161), Janiuay (139), Mina (137), and Leon (137), and the component city of Passi (127).
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, head of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), explained that the increase in recorded HFMD cases in 2023 resulted from improved help-seeking behavior among the population.
She noted that people now promptly visit health facilities upon noticing symptoms.
This change in behavior is attributed to active public health campaigns conducted by the IPHO, in collaboration with the Municipal Health Offices (MHOs) of the 43 municipalities, including Passi City.
Other municipalities that also reported cases were Banate (188), Bingawan (105), Tubungan (104), New Lucena (102), Dumangas (102), Igbaras (89), Maasin (89), Tigbauan (80), San Rafael (77), Sara (76), Pototan (76), Barotac Nuevo (76), Miag-ao (71), San Dionisio (68), Lemery (67), Pavia (66), Zarraga (58), Oton (43), Cabatuan (39), Concepcion (36), Ajuy (31), Anilao (29), San Miguel (20), San Joaquin (20), Batad (11), Dueñas (11), Balasan (nine), Guimbal (six), Dingle (four), San Enrique (three), Leganes (two), Carles (two), and Estancia (one).
According to Quiñon, health sanitation inspectors and other IPHO personnel have been conducting public health awareness campaigns on various diseases, including HFMD, which predominantly infects children.
She emphasized that HFMD is manageable if patients consult with health facilities promptly.
Quiñon also highlighted that proper hygiene, particularly regular hand washing with soap and clean water, especially after playing, is the simplest method to prevent HFMD infection.
Parents are reminded to ensure their children follow these hygiene practices.
The symptoms of HFMD may include fever, sore throat, general malaise, painful red lesions on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks, a red rash (sometimes blistering) on the palms, soles, and sometimes the buttocks, irritability in infants and toddlers, and loss of appetite./PN
